Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Day 3:

Watching Smith and Haddin save Australia's bacon again seemed to pump the boys up for fun at Sun City and in anticipation of our first game against Soweto CC tomorrow. After another hearty breakfast at the campsite, the boys packed and left the Pilanesberg game park behind.

A short drive had the group at Sun City, but not before seeing one of the more memorable sites of our lives:  a herd of at least 50 elephants, mums, bulls and babies walking along the edge of the game park. Unfortunately, it happened so quickly as we were travelling on the bus, no pictures were captured but I'm sure it will be firmly imprinted in the boys' memories.

Sun City upon approach had the appearance of an oasis in the desert. For the parents old enough to remember, I did expect to hear the theme music to the show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" as we were in the shadows of the Palace Hotel. Boardies on and towel in hand,  the group (even Uncle Thommo) headed for the Valley of the Waves. Thomas, Cam and Max led the charge in lathering up on sunscreen on a day where a guy in orange robes complained to me how hot it was. It was amazing! Activities for everyone. Waves pools for the younguns, whirl pools for the others and the couples pool for the coaches... Parents would be impressed that even while on tour, the older boys were taking their studies seriously with much effort put into maths and language while interacting with the locals. The highlight for many of the boys (particurly Jez who is still talking it up) was the Slide of Courage (picture attached). Not for the feint of heart, it was a 25m drop from top to bottom, but a gentleman holding a bogey board at the end of the slide ensured you didn't fall off the end - OHS hasn't hit South Africa yet.

Entering the Valley of the Waves.

The Slide of Courage tested some in the group and even left some marks on Brad's back.

After lunch and some biltong snacks (which included almost every game park animal from 24 hours previous was an option - I highly recommend the Springbok) to tide us over until dinner, we left Sun City and headed to Bryanston. Luke and James entertained the front of the bus with movie quotes while others took the opportunity for another kip. The three star hotel, City Lodge, greeted us and the boys paired up in some very comfy rooms. The gym, ice machine and restaurant made it a perfect home away from home over the next five nights. Dinner at Spur and a team talk ended the day pleasantly - now it was onto our first game versus Soweto CC.

The world famous wave pool at Sun City. If you look closely, you can see the boys.

JMT

Game #1 vs Soweto CC

Day 4

A glorious day greeted the Reds as the boys arrived in Soweto for the opening fixture of the tour. Our opponents were a senior Soweto club team which proved intimately a bridge too far for the touring Reds. Captain Liam lost the toss and the boys were forced to field on a fairly hot day. Two early wickets to Liam started the bowling effort with great hope. The bowlers all toiled manfully in tough conditions, the spinners Thomas, Michael and Jeremy bowled with great skill and kept the runs down, while Bruce took an important wicket to ensure the run rate was kept in check. Max bowled with fire and had one of the top order batsmen caught behind attempting a hook shot. Brendan worked hard bowling at the finish. The Soweto innings was dominated by their No. 5 batter who scored an impressive 159 no.

In reply, the Reds were scoring at 5 an over and looked in position to mount a serious challenge, but once Michael and Ben were dismissed after a courageous stay at the crease, the run rate slowed. Todd and Liam combined for valuable partnership which brought life back the innings, but unfortunately wickets fell at regular intervals and the innings ran out of steam. At the conclusion of the match, the boys were generously hosted by the Soweto club for a Braai after playing a bit of soccer against the locals. The boys played well against a senior team which included a number of former first class players.

Final Score - 310 to 140

SMT

Looking the goods in Soweto maroon.

Thommo found someone who hadn't heard that he gave Brett Lee his nick name.

A panaramic shot of the Soweto Cricket Club

"What side is heads and what side is tails?"

The odd couple openers.

Parents and well-wishers; we've arrived safely.

Day 2

Ever since take off from Sydney Airport, the trip thus far has been one of superlatives. It all started when Coach Thomlinson ran into an old sparring partner on the plane, then suggested he should sit next to him and his wife at the pointy end of the plane. Despite being educated at 'our friends from down the road', Hug Jackman was the perfect gentleman and promised to follow the blog of the boys' progress while in South Africa. Coach Toth kept an eye on things up the back. Qantas crewmen Steve went out of his way to comment on how well-behaved the boys were; in fact, the best sporting team he has looked after in 20 years.

We touched down on time in Johannesburg and met Bruce (who spent Christmas in South Africa) and our contact, Andy. The boys had just enough time to stretch their legs and it was on the bus to the Pilanesberg National Park. Many of the boys (and coaches) took the opportunity to catch up on a bit of sleep over the 2.5 hour trip. I hear the scenery was fantastic heading towards the former volcano, home of the 3rd largest game park in the continent.

The first thing we noticed upon arrival was the clear sky and the rich smell of earth in the air. The boys went to their cabins, headed down to the buffet dinner and ensured the got plenty of rest before our early rise the next morning and the anticipation of seeing the 'Deadly Seven' in the flesh.

A 5am rise to see some lions seemed a bit of a tall order for Liam and Ben, attracting the first fines on tour. After the mandatory indemnity form signing and locating sunglasses we were off. In what must have been no more than two minutes we followed a trail of excrement that could have only led us to one animal - a bull elephant! Lefty as we called him (he only had his left tusk) wouldn't stop following us and we thought we had acquired a mascot for the tour. Further venturing led us to a sight that had our guide, Gift, and Andy telling us how lucky we were. A black rhino - with only a few in the park, I think the boys appreciated how luck we were. As our three hour journey continued, we saw enough impala and zebras to think that the lions must have been lying down after overeating as opposed to hiding. Giraffes, water bucks, kudos, wilder beasts, and even a couple of crocodiles followed.

After breakfast and a team aqua session, coaches and boys enjoyed free time. Some swam, others walked and I believe one or two even slept. Others enjoyed a lesson on currency conversion from Coach Toth - 7 rand (about 80 cents) for a Coke; what a country! 4:30pm saw us ready for our evening drive, with no one late. Adam had recharged his impressive zoom iPhone camera and cam was reminded yet again that his camera was still in Sydney. After a few giraffes and springboks we seemed to be driving quite quickly without stopping for much for the next half hour. Then Gift told us why, as did about 20 cars stopped at the top of a shallow valley. A lion had been spotted near half a dozen zebras. Coach Thomlinson had only two hours ago watched a similar scenario on a nature channel. The boys were having mixed feelings in anticipation and the van was splint those cheering for the lion (led by Bruce) and those on the side of the zebra (led by Luke). One lion then turned into 2 mature females with a cub, possibly teaching it how to hunt. The boys will be able to retell it much better than I can write but to cut a long story short, the zebra (named Issy Falou) sidestepped his way through and lived to tell his relatives. After that excitement, the lads were hungry so we headed to our dinner reservations; a braii under the nighttime sky, with some of the game we saw earlier on our plates (just joshin' - sort of). After dinner and a chance hippo sighting on the way home, it was off to bed early in order to try and catch some of the first day of the Sydney test on TV in the morning.

A giraffe taking a sneaky look through the bushes.

Coaches Thomlinson and Toth loving the zebra steaks while the boys hook into more traditional fare.

While the boys tried to escape recognition, the rhinos and water bucks were in full view.

JMT

At Sydney Airport

1st January 2014

All tourists checked in successfully despite a slight issue with baggage allowances (Max and Brad were the saviours there and allowed Coach Toth to take clothes on tour).

A quick goodbye to parents (Adam will be in trouble on his return) and it was off to the food court for the boys and somewhere quiet for the coaches (close by of course).

Next stop Johannesburg after a 14 hour flight.

The Barker College Cricket Development Tour to South Africa.

Training - Less than 48 hours to lift off...

30th December 2013

It was great to see everyone turn up to training eager and ready to go.
A couple of special guest appearances by Mr. "Gilly" Giltrap and Mr. Macoustra added to the sense of occasion and that the boys were just hours away from embarking on a truly memorable journey.

Under the watchful eyes of Coaches Thomlinson and Toth, the Tour Squad flushed out any cobwebs associated with too much festive feasting and watching the Big Bash on the box. Though there was much to talk about with a pleasing Ashes scoreline leading into the Sydney Test (well, at least for those following the Green Caps...)

Tour kits were given out, as well as some additional fare to take to Soweto for the first few days of our adventure. There is a book running on which tourist will forget essential items and remember at the airport - at the time of posting Brad and Brendan are favourites to leave an item or two, closely followed by Coach Toth.

Thank you to all the parents, Cricket Club committee and staff such as Mrs. Randall that have helped get us to this point. All that's left is to turn up to the airport on time - 7:30am (7:00am for Max)

South Africa Tour Trivia Night

Please join us at Barker College and support the upcoming South Africa Tour.
Purchase your tickets at www.trybooking.com/DPRG
See you there.

 

South Africa Tour Itinerary

It's been finalised...

The Barker South Africa Tour Squad will depart on New Year's Day and play 9 matches across 17 days. Our main ports of call will be:
- Pilanesbreg
- Bryanston
- Grahamstown (Port Elizabeth)
- Cape Town

The full itinerary is as follows:

Wed 01                Arrive at O. R Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg at 1535 (own flight    arrangements) and transfer to the Bakgatla camp in Pilanesberg Game Reserve where your accommodation has been booked for 2 nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Overnight at Bakgatla camp.

 Thu 02                  Morning game drive. After breakfast, you have most of the day free at your leisure, before your late afternoon game drive and boma dinner. Overnight at Bakgatla camp.

 Fri 03                     After breakfast, transfer to Sun City where you will have some free time to enjoy this world famous resort. Late afternoon transfer to the City Lodge Bryanston where your accommodation has been booked for 5 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.  Overnight at City Lodge Bryanston.

 Sat 04                    Match 1 vs. Soweto Cricket Club. Overnight at City Lodge Bryanston.  

 Sun 05                  Morning transfer to Soweto for a tour of this historical town (lunch is included in the tour). Afternoon visit to The Lion Park.   Overnight at City Lodge Bryanston.

 

Mon 06                Match 2 vs. St Albans (TBC). Overnight at City Lodge Bryanston.

 Tue 07                  Match 3 vs. Parktown Boys High School.  Overnight at City Lodge Bryanston.

 Wed 08                Transfer to O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for your flight departing to Port Elizabeth at 1110 (own flight arrangements). On arrival, you will be met by your coach and transferred to the Kwantu Elephant Sanctuary for a visit. Late afternoon transfer to St Andrew’s College in Grahamstown where you will be participating in a cricket festival. Overnight at the school’s boarding house for 4 nights with all meals included.

 Thu 09                  Match 4 – St. Andrew’s Festival

 

Fri 10                     Match 5 – St. Andrew’s Festival

 

Sat 11                    Match 6 – St. Andrew’s Festival

Sun 12                  Early morning transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight to Cape Town which departs at 1100 (own flight arrangements). On arrival, you will be met by your coach and transferred to the Breakwater Lodge where your accommodation has been booked for 5 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Overnight at Breakwater Lodge.

 Mon 13                Morning visit to Table Mountain (weather permitting). Thereafter continue to Langa Township where you will have lunch and play Match 7 vs. Langa Development Team (TBC). Overnight at Breakwater Lodge.

 Tue 14                  Match 8 vs Wynberg High School. Overnight at Breakwater Lodge.

 Wed 15                Full day tour to Cape Point, Boulders Beach and Hout Bay. Overnight at Breakwater Lodge.

 Thu 16                  Morning tour to Robben Island. Early afternoon transfer to Bishops Diocesan College for your day/ night match. Match 9 vs Bishop Diocesan College. Overnight at Breakwater Lodge.

 Fri 17                     Morning transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Johannesburg which departs at 1220 (own flight arrangements). Your flight from Johannesburg to Sydney departs at 1750 (own flight arrangements).     

 

Signing out.

JT